| Hoi An
Hoi An was Vietnam’s important international seaport town from the 16th century to the late 19th century with merchants from both Asia and Europe trading all sorts of goods from spices to gold. Located on the bank of Thu Bon River 30 kilometers south of Danang, this is a quiet riverside town dotted with temples, shrines and Chinese style tile-roofed wooden houses girding a long narrow road.
Traditional lifestyle and Chinese architecture have remained virtually unspoiled since the 17th century – it is one of Vietnam’s four World Heritage sites. Indeed, it is the slow pace of life that makes this charming town worth a visit. It’s pleasurable enough just to pedal around on a bicycle and stop by restaurants on Trai Phu Street for a cup of tea and Chinese-style pastries.
Phung Hung Old House
Believed to be built in 1780, this 3-strorey private residence has a mix of Chinese and Japanese structural designs. The main roof of the first floor is four-sided and influenced by Japanese architecture while the balcony on the upstairs has a Chinese rounded "turtle shell "roof. The house also features a trap door that is used for moving furniture during an emergency like flooding. The house’s third floor became a refuge for other families during the town’s worst flood in 1964. It is said that house has been inhabited by the same family for eighth generation.
The Tran Family Worship House
 Like many houses in Hoian, of the Tran Family Worship House is influenced by Chinese and Japanese architecture. The house, which was built by a mandarin of civil service named Tran Tu Nhac, is surrounded by a garden and high fences. The house has two parts: the main part and the auxiliary part. The first part is a place for worship while the second one is reserved for the family and a guest residence. The worship hall has three doors. Each door serves different types of visitors. The left door is for men. The right door is for women. The middle door is for the grandparents – it is open on Tet Festival or some festival days. |
